The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, and majestic in his radiant splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in 1 Corinthians 4:5b,
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
"He [the Lord] will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God."
As I read this passage I understand Paul to say that he is unconcerned about the judgment of others in regard to his ministry - but that he has great concern for the Lord's judgment in that regard.
Concerning this judgment, Paul says that all of us believers will eventually be judged by the Lord, "He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motive of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." He says, "It is the Lord who judges me." Verse 4.
This isn't a judgment of the lost, those who have rejected the gospel message and trampled underfoot the blood of our Lord. This is a judgment of you and me: believers. It isn't a judgment of our eternal destiny, whether heaven or the Lake of Fire. This is an evaluation of what we have done as believers. A sobering reality awaits us in the resurrection: "each will receive his praise from God."
Sobering, isn't it?
I pray all of us will delight the heart of our wonderful Savior and bring him joy in the ministry we all have been called to!
As I read this passage I understand Paul to say that he is unconcerned about the judgment of others in regard to his ministry - but that he has great concern for the Lord's judgment in that regard.
Concerning this judgment, Paul says that all of us believers will eventually be judged by the Lord, "He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motive of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." He says, "It is the Lord who judges me." Verse 4.
This isn't a judgment of the lost, those who have rejected the gospel message and trampled underfoot the blood of our Lord. This is a judgment of you and me: believers. It isn't a judgment of our eternal destiny, whether heaven or the Lake of Fire. This is an evaluation of what we have done as believers. A sobering reality awaits us in the resurrection: "each will receive his praise from God."
Sobering, isn't it?
I pray all of us will delight the heart of our wonderful Savior and bring him joy in the ministry we all have been called to!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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